Transaction card having internal magnetic stripe

ABSTRACT

A transaction card is provided. The transaction card includes a card frame having a card inlay and a card housing. The transaction card also includes a magnetic stripe disposed inside the card frame between the card inlay and the card housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/385,220 filed Sep. 8, 2016, the contents of which are herebyincorporated in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed embodiments generally relate to transaction cards, andparticularly, to transaction cards having an internal magnetic stripe.

BACKGROUND

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/385,220 filed Sep. 8, 2016, the contents of which are herebyincorporated in their entirety.

Transaction cards, such as credit and debit cards, have increasinglybecome a primary means for customers to complete financial transactions.Typically, transaction cards are cut from laminated sheets of polyvinylchloride (PVC) or polycarbonate (PC), or other similar materials. Afterthe overall shape of the card is formed, the card may be modified to addfunctional and/or visual features. For example, a magnetic stripe and/ormicrochip may be affixed to one side, the card may be stamped with thecard number and customer name, and color or a design may be added forappearance. The magnetic stripe is typically affixed to an exteriorsurface of the card.

As transaction cards increase in prevalence, expectations fortransaction card quality have increased. Transaction cards haveincreasingly been made to meet higher standards regarding materials,durability, and especially security. For example, in traditional cards,the magnetic stripes are exposed on the exterior of the cards, and areeasy to tamper with. The magnetic stripes can be removed relativelyeasily, and the code information relating to an account recorded on themagnetic stripe can be quickly stolen with a low-cost reading device.

The present disclosure is directed to overcoming one or more of theproblems set forth above and/or other problems associated withconventional/traditional transaction cards.

SUMMARY

The disclosed embodiments include a transaction card. The transactioncard can include a card frame having a card inlay and a card housing.The transaction card can, also, include a magnetic stripe disposedinside the card frame between the card inlay and the card housing.

The transaction card can further include, in some aspects, a pocketcontaining the magnetic stripe. The pocket can be defined by the cardinlay or the card housing. In some aspects, the pocket can be defined bythe inner surface of the card inlay or the inner surface of the cardhousing. In some aspects, a first portion of the pocket can be definedby an inner surface of the card inlay, and a second portion of thepocket can be defined by an inner surface of the card housing.

The transaction card can further include, in some aspects, a card framethat has a first curved shape and a magnetic stripe that has a secondcurved shape. In some aspects, the magnetic stripe can be located at adistance of 100-190 microns to an exterior surface of the card inlay orthe card housing. In some aspects, the magnetic stripe can be a highoutput magnetic stripe.

The transaction card can further include, in some aspects, a stripeindicator located on an exterior surface of the card frame. In someaspects, the stripe indicator can be located at the same location withrespect to edges of the card frame as the magnetic stripe.

Consistent with another disclosed embodiment, a method of manufacturinga transaction card is provided. The method can include forming a cardinlay, forming a card housing, forming a pocket in at least one of thecard inlay and the card housing, positioning a magnetic stripe on atleast one of an inner surface of the card inlay and an inner surface ofthe card housing at a location corresponding to the pocket, andattaching the card inlay to the card housing to form a card frame. Insome aspects, the magnetic stripe can be disposed inside the card framebetween the card inlay and the card housing and within the pocket.

The method can further include, in some aspects, forming a stripeindicator on an exterior surface of the card inlay or the card housingto indicate a location of the magnetic stripe inside the card frame. Themethod can further include, in some aspects, forming the stripeindicator at the same location with respect to edges of the card frameas the magnetic stripe.

The method can further include, in some aspects, forming the card inlayand the card housing by an injection molding process. In some aspects,the method can further include forming the pocket by an injectionmolding process. In another aspect, the method can further includeforming the pocket by a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) process afterthe injection molding process

The method can further include, in some aspects, forming the pocket inthe inner surface of the card housing or forming the pocket in the innersurface of the card inlay. The method can further include, in someaspects, forming a first portion of the pocket in an inner surface ofthe card inlay and forming a second portion of the pocket in an innersurface of the card housing.

The method can further include, in some aspects, positioning themagnetic stripe at a distance of 100-190 microns to an exterior surfaceof the card inlay or the card housing.

Consistent with another disclosed embodiment, a transaction card isprovided. The transaction card can include a curved card frame having acard inlay and a card housing. The transaction card can further includea first recessed portion in the card inlay and a second recessed portionin the card housing that corresponds to the fist recessed portion. Insome aspects, the first recessed portion and the second recessed portioncan together form a pocket. The transaction card can further include acurved magnetic stripe that can be disposed within the pocket. Thetransaction card can further include a stripe indicator disposed on anexterior surface of the card frame.

The transaction card can further include, in some aspects, a magneticstripe that occupies an entire space of the pocket such that themagnetic stripe is constrained in at least a thickness direction. Insome aspects, the transaction card can further include an adhesive layerinside the pocket. The magnetic stripe can be affixed to the firstrecessed portion or the second recessed portion by the adhesive layer.The magnetic stripe can be located at a distance of 100-190 microns toan exterior surface of the card inlay or the card housing.

In some aspects, the card frame of the transaction card can have acurvature that is the same as the curvature of the magnetic stripe. Inother aspects, the curvature of the card frame and the curvature of themagnetic stripe can be different.

The transaction card can further include a stripe indicator that has acolor that is different from a color of the exterior surface of the cardframe. In other aspects, the stripe indicator can have a printed patternthat is not present in the exterior surface of the card frame. In someaspects, the stripe indicator can have a texture that is different fromthe texture of the exterior surface of the card frame. The stripeindicator can also include icons or texts. The icons or texts canindicate a location of the magnetic stripe.

Consistent with another disclosed embodiment, a method of manufacturinga transaction card is provided. The method can include forming a curvedcard frame. The card frame can include a card inlay and a card housing.The method can further include forming a first recessed portion in thecard inlay, forming a second recessed portion that corresponds to thefirst recessed portion in the card housing, attaching the card inlay tothe card housing to form a pocket defined by the first recessed portionto the second recessed portion, positioning a curved magnetic stripewithin the pocket, and disposing a stripe indicator on an exteriorsurface of the card frame.

The method can further include, in some aspects, providing a magneticstripe that occupies an entire space of the pocket such that themagnetic stripe is constrained in at least a thickness direction. Themethod can further include, in some aspects, disposing an adhesive layerinside the pocket and fixing the magnetic stripe to the first recessedportion or the second recessed portion by the adhesive layer. Themagnetic stripe can be located at a distance of 100-190 microns to anexterior surface of the card inlay or the card housing. In some aspects,the magnetic stripe can have a curvature that is the same as thecurvature of the card frame. In other aspects, the magnetic stripe canhave a curvature that is different from the curvature of the card frame.

The method can further include, in some aspects, disposing a stripeindicator that has a color that is different from a color of theexterior surface of the card frame. In some aspects, the stripeindicator can have a printed pattern that is not present in the exteriorsurface of the card frame. In other aspects, the stripe indicator canhave a texture that is different from a texture of the exterior surfaceof the card frame. In some aspects, the stripe indicator can have iconsor texts. The icons or texts can indicate a location of the magneticstripe.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the disclosed embodiments, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate disclosed embodiments and,together with the description, serve to explain the disclosedembodiments. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary transaction system, consistentwith disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary transaction card, consistent with thedisclosed embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a traditional transaction card.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an exemplary transaction card, consistent withthe disclosed embodiments.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show cross-sectional views of the exemplary transactioncard shown in FIG. 4 taken along line A-A of FIG. 4, consistent withdifferent disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 6A schematically shows an exemplary magnetic stripe adhered to aninner surface of a card inlay, consistent with the disclosedembodiments.

FIG. 6B schematically shows an exemplary magnetic stripe 410 adhered toan inner surface of a card housing, consistent with the disclosedembodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the exemplary transactioncard shown in FIG. 4 taken along line A-A of FIG. 4, consistent withdifferent disclosed embodiments.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show cross-sectional views of the exemplary transactioncard shown in FIG. 4 taken along line A-A of FIG. 4, consistent withdifferent disclosed embodiments.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show top views of an exemplary transaction card,consistent with the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method formanufacturing a transaction card, consistent with the disclosedembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the disclosed embodiments,examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whereverconvenient, the same reference numbers will be used throughout thedrawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Disclosed embodiments include cards and methods for manufacturing cards,such as transaction cards. The term “transaction card,” as used herein,refers to any physical card product that is configured to provideinformation, such as financial information (e.g., card numbers, accountnumbers, account balance, etc.), quasi-financial information (e.g.,rewards balance, discount information, etc.), and/orindividual-identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), when thecard is read by a card reader. Examples of transaction cards includecredit cards, debit cards, gift cards, rewards cards, frequent flyercards, merchant-specific cards, discount cards, etc., but are notlimited thereto. The term “transaction card” may include anidentification card such as a passport card, a driver's license, anentry point access card, or the like. The physical properties of thetransaction card (e.g., size, flexibility, location of variouscomponents included in the card) may meet the various internationalstandards, including, e.g., ISO/IEC 7810, ISO/IEC 7811, ISO/IEC 7812,ISO/IEC 7813, ISO/IEC 7816, ISO 8583, ISO/IEC 4909, and ISO/IEC 14443.For example, a transaction card may have a dimension of 85.60 mm (width)by 53.98 mm (height) by 0.76 mm (thickness), as specified in ISO/IEC7810.

Disclosed embodiments may improve transaction card security by embeddingthe magnetic stripe inside the card, e.g., between two pieces (cardhousing and card inlay) of the card in a two-piece card construction. Bydisposing the magnetic stripe inside the card, it is more difficult tosteal information stored in the stripe. Any attempt to remove the stripefrom the card may destroy the stripe or damage other parts of the card.In addition, disposing the magnetic stripe inside the card protects themagnetic stripe from other outside objects, thereby reducing wear andtear. Moreover, by disposing the magnetic stripe inside the card, themagnetic stripe can be affixed to the card more securely. Disposing themagnetic stripe inside the card also eliminates the potential problem ofdelamination in existing card designs that may be caused by flexure(e.g., bending) of the cards or by wear and tear. Finally, by disposingthe magnetic stripe inside the card, more space is available on thesurface of the card for ornamental design to provide better aesthetics.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary transaction system 100. Transactionsystem 100 may include a computing system configured to receive and sendinformation between the components of transaction system 100 andcomponents outside of transaction system 100. Transaction system 100 mayinclude a financial service provider system 110 and a merchant system120 communicating with each other through a network 130. Transactionsystem 100 may include additional and/or alternative components.

Financial service provider system 110 may include one or more computersystems associated with an entity that provides financial services. Forexample, the entity may be a bank, credit union, credit card issuer, orother type of financial service entity that generates, provides,manages, and/or maintains financial service accounts for one or morecustomers. Financial service accounts may include, for example, creditcard accounts, checking accounts, savings accounts, loan accounts,reward accounts, and any other types of financial service accounts.Financial service accounts may be associated with physical financialservice transaction cards, such as credit or debit cards that customersuse to perform financial service transactions, such as purchasing goodsand/or services online or at a point of sale (POS) terminal. Financialservice accounts may also be associated with electronic financialproducts and services, such as a digital wallet or similar account thatmay be used to perform electronic transactions, such as purchasing goodsand/or services online.

Merchant system 120 may include one or more computer systems associatedwith a merchant. For example, merchant system 120 may be associated withan entity that provides goods and/or services (e.g., a retail store).The merchant may include brick-and-mortar location(s) that a customermay physically visit and where the customer may purchase goods andservices using the transaction cards. Such physical locations mayinclude computing devices (e.g., merchant system 120) that performfinancial service transactions with customers (e.g., POS terminal(s),kiosks, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, merchant system 120 may beassociated with a merchant who provides an electronic shoppingenvironment, such as a website or other online platform that consumersmay access using a computer through a browser, a mobile application, orsimilar software. Merchant system 120 may include a client device, suchas a laptop computer, desktop computer, smart phone, or tablet, which acustomer may operate to access the electronic shopping mechanism.

Network 130 may include any type of network configured to facilitatecommunications and data exchange between components of transactionsystem 100, such as, for example, financial service provider system 110and merchant system 120. Network 130 may include a Local Area Network(LAN) or a Wide Area Network (WAN), such as the Internet. Network 130may be a single network or a combination of networks. Network 130 is notlimited to the above examples and transaction system 100 may employ anytype of network that allows entities (shown and not shown) oftransaction system 100 to exchange data and information.

Transaction system 100 may be configured to conduct a transaction usinga transaction card 140. In some embodiments, financial service providersystem 110 may provide transaction card 140 to a customer for use inconducting transactions associated with a financial service account heldby the customer. For example, the customer may use transaction card 140at a merchant location to make a purchase. During the course of thepurchase, information may be transferred from transaction card 140 tomerchant system 120 (e.g., a point of sale device). Merchant system 120may communicate with financial service provider system 110 via network130 to verify the information and to complete or deny the transaction.For example, merchant system 120 may receive account information fromtransaction card 140. Merchant system 120 may transmit the accountinformation and a purchase amount, among other transaction information,to financial service provider system 110. Financial service providersystem 110 may settle the transaction by transferring funds from thecustomer's financial service account to a financial service accountassociated with the merchant.

While transaction system 100 and transaction card 140 are depicted anddescribed in relation to transactions that involve customers, merchants,and financial service providers, it should be understood that theseentities are used only as an example to illustrate one environment inwhich transaction card 140 may be used. Moreover, it should beunderstood that transaction card 140 is not limited to financialproducts and may be any physical card product that is configured toprovide information to another device. For example, transaction card 140may be an identification card configured to provide information to adevice in order to identify the holder of the card (e.g., driver'slicense) or provide information about the holder of the card (e.g.,insurance card).

In some embodiments, transaction card 140 may further include atransaction component 144 disposed on or in a transaction card frame(“card frame”) 142. As used herein, a “transaction component” may be oneor more devices and/or elements configured to receive, store, process,provide, transfer, send, delete, and/or generate information. Forexample, transaction component 144 may be a microchip (e.g., an Europay,MasterCard, and Visa (EMV) chip), a communication device (e.g., NearField Communication (NFC) antenna, Bluetooth® device, WiFi device), amagnetic stripe, a barcode, Quick Response (QR) code, or a combinationthereof. Transaction component 144 may be secured (or affixed, attached)to card frame 142 in such a way that allows card frame 142 to carrytransaction component 144 while maintaining a utility of transactioncomponent 144 (i.e., allowing transaction component 144 to interact withmerchant system 120).

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary transaction card 140, consistent withthe disclosed embodiments. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, transaction card140 includes a two-piece construction. For example, card frame 142 mayinclude two separate, independently removable card components: a lowercard component 202 and an upper card component 204. Lower and upper cardcomponents 202, 204 may be referred to as first and second cardcomponents, or vice versa. Although lower and upper card components 202and 204 are shown as having a planar (e.g., flat) shape, it isunderstood that one or both of them may have a curved shape (e.g.,having a curved surface).

In one embodiment, card frame 142 may include a construction in whichlower card component 202 forms a cavity or space 206 (hence lower cardcomponent 202 may be referred to as a “card housing”) and upper cardcomponent 204 forms an inlay component (hence upper card component 204may also be referred to as a “card inlay”) configured to be seatedwithin space 206. It should be understood, however, that otherconfigurations are possible. For example, transaction card 140 mayinclude a “bucket-and-lid” construction in which lower card component202 forms a container and upper card component 204 forms a lid that isconfigured to close the container and that rests on a rim of lower cardcomponent 202. Lower card component 202 and upper card component 204 maybe securable to each other to at least partially define space 206 toaccommodate transaction component 144.

Lower card component 202 and upper card component 204 may be permanentlyor temporarily secured to each other to form a complete card frame 142.For example, lower card component 202 may be secured to upper cardcomponent 204 using an adhesive, or by over-molding, pressure fit,interference fit, clasp, tongue-in-groove, post-and-hole, etc. If lowercard component 202 and upper card component 204 are temporarily securedto each other, an attachment feature (e.g., for hinged attachment,sliding attachment, etc.) may be included to allow card frame 142 to bedisassembled. Other techniques for securing lower card component 202 toupper card component 204 may be apparent to those of skill in the art.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, transaction component 144 mayinclude a first transaction component 230 and a second transactioncomponent 235 that are positioned within enclosed space 206. Firsttransaction component 230 may be a microchip and second transactioncomponent 235 may be a Near Field Communication (NFC) antenna. It shouldbe understood that first transaction component 230 and secondtransaction component 235 are examples, and that other configurationsare possible (e.g., transaction card 140 may include additional and/oralternative transaction components, or may include only one of first andsecond transaction components 230 and 235).

FIG. 3 is a top view of a traditional transaction card 300. The top viewmay be a front review or a back view of traditional transaction card300. As shown in FIG. 3, traditional transaction card 300 includes acard frame 305 and a magnetic stripe 310 provided on an exterior surfaceof card frame 305. The magnetic stripe may be provided on a front sideor a back side of card frame 305. In either configuration, in atraditional transaction card, the magnetic stripe is affixed to andexposed on an exterior of the card frame, as shown in FIG. 3.

For traditional transaction cards, current industry practice may applyan over-lamination over the card surfaces (including the magneticstripe) with an adhesive. The current over-lamination used in theindustry is sufficiently thin to allow the magnetic stripe to be read bya card reader. The over-lamination also serves as additional securingmechanism for holding the magnetic stripe to the card. However, theover-lamination is typically applied during the card printing process(e.g., printed by a card printer), after the card frame with themagnetic stripe has been made. The extra process of applying theover-lamination increases the cost of card production.

In traditional card manufacturing processes, injection molding istypically not used. Thus, while the industry practice may use thicklaminations to improve protection and fixation of the magnetic stripe,the card manufacturing industry has not yet considered technologies fordisposing the magnetic stripe inside the card during a cardmanufacturing process.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an exemplary transaction card 400 consistentwith the disclosed embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4, transaction card 400includes a card frame 405 and a magnetic stripe 410 disposed inside thecard frame (the dashed line indicates that magnetic stripe 410 isdisposed inside the card frame). Magnetic stripe 410 may be disposed ata location corresponding to a location where a traditional magneticstripe would appear on a card. For example, magnetic stripe 410 may bedisposed 1-3 mm inward from an outer edge of transaction card 400 (e.g.,distance d from the top edge shown in FIG. 4 may be 1-3 mm). The shapeof transaction card 400 may be any suitable shape, such as rectangular,triangular, circular, or a combination of any shapes. The dimension ofmagnetic stripe 410 may be any suitable dimension. For example, thedimension of magnetic stripe 410 may follow the Visa® standards or ISOstandards.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show cross-sectional views of the exemplary transactioncard 400 shown in FIG. 4 taken along line A-A of FIG. 4, consistent withdifferent disclosed embodiments. FIGS. 5A and 5B show that magneticstripe 410 is disposed inside card frame 405. In a two-piececonstruction, card frame 405 may include a first card component 411(also referred to as “card inlay 411”) and a second card component 412(also referred to as “card housing 412”). Card frame 405 may be similarto card frame 142 shown in FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIG. 5A, to accommodate magnetic stripe 410 disposedinside card frame 405, a pocket or cavity (e.g., pocket 420) may beformed in at least one of card inlay 411 or card housing 412. FIG. 5Ashows the configuration in which pocket 420 is formed in card inlay 411.FIG. 5B shows the configuration in which pocket 420 is formed in cardhousing 412. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, magnetic stripe 410 isdisposed within pocket 420, and affixed to an inner surface of cardinlay 411 (shown in FIG. 5A) or card housing 412 (shown in FIG. 5B).Although magnetic stripe 410 is shown to occupy a space less than theentire space of pocket 420, it is understood that magnetic stripe 410may occupy the entire space of pocket 420.

Pocket 420 may be formed in an inner surface of at least one of cardinlay 411 or card housing 412. The inner surfaces of card inlay 411 andcard housing 412 are the respective surfaces that face each other whenthey are attached to each other to form card frame 405. Pocket 420 maybe formed during a molding process (e.g., an injection molding process)when card frame 405 (e.g., card inlay 411 and card housing 412) is made.For example, pocket 420 may be formed in a same injection moldingprocess as card inlay 411 and/or card housing 412. Alternatively oradditionally, pocket 420 may be formed subsequent to the formation ofcard frame 405 (e.g., card housing 412 and/or card inlay 411), such asby a computer numerical control (CNC) machining process. After cardframe 405 (e.g., card inlay 411 and/or card housing 412) is formed,pocket 420 may be formed in card inlay 411 and/or card housing 412 by aseparate CNC machining process. The CNC machining process may includemilling, laser cutting, grinding, lathing, etc. For example, a portionof material may be removed from an inner surface of card inlay 411and/or an inner surface of card housing 412 to form pocket 420.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5B, pocket 420 is formed in theinner surface of card housing 412, either by the injection moldingprocess or by the machining process. Magnetic stripe 410 may be disposedwithin pocket 420. For example, after pocket 420 is formed in cardhousing 412, an adhesive layer (not shown) may be placed in pocket 420.Magnetic stripe 410 may be placed onto the adhesive layer and secured toan inner surface of card housing 412 by the adhesive layer. Card inlay411 and card housing 412 may then be assembled (e.g., attached) togetherto form card frame 405, with magnetic stripe 410 being positioned withinpocket 420. FIG. 5B schematically shows that magnetic stripe 410 ispositioned in pocket 420 provided in an inner surface of card housing412 when card frame 405 is formed. In some embodiments, an adhesivelayer may not be used. Magnetic stripe 410 may be placed within pocket420 and be securely held by card inlay 411 and card housing 412 whenthey are attached to each other to form card frame 405. It is understoodthat when an adhesive layer is not used, magnetic stripe 410 may occupythe entire space of pocket 420, at least in the thickness direction ofcard frame 405, such that magnetic stripe 410 is constrained in at leastthe thickness direction.

Magnetic stripes are classified into low output magnetic stripes andhigh output magnetic stripes based on their output signal amplitudes.“High output” means the signal amplitude output from the magneticstripe, when read by a card reader, is higher than a predeterminedthreshold (e.g., greater than 100% ISO output specification, such as130%, 150%, 160%, 180%, etc.). Low output means the signal amplitudeoutput from the magnetic stripe, when read by the card reader, is lowerthan or equal to a predetermined threshold (e.g., lower than or equal to100% ISO output specification). In the disclosed embodiments, becausethe magnetic stripe is disposed inside the card frame, high outputmagnetic stripes may be used. High output magnetic stripes are currentlyused in metal cards to overcome the interference created by the metalmaterial, which may cause card reading failure.

As shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, magnetic stripe 410 may be disposed inside cardframe 405 at a distance D from a surface of card frame 405. The surfacemay be an exterior surface of card inlay 411 (shown in FIG. 5A) or cardhousing 412 (shown in FIG. 5B). The distance D represents a thickness ofthe material between magnetic stripe 410 and a card reader (e.g., athickness through which material magnetic stripe 410 has to “work” inorder to output a signal). The distance D may be a function of materialproperties and manufacturing process constraints. In some embodiments,the distance D may be within a range of 100-190 microns. Within thisrange, a high output magnetic stripe can output a signal that issufficient for a card reader to capture information coded on themagnetic stripe. It is understood that in some embodiments, the distanceD may be less than 100 microns or greater than 190 microns. It isunderstood from FIGS. 5A and 5B that the distance D also represents thedistance from pocket 420 to an exterior surface of card inlay 411 orcard housing 412.

Referring now to FIG. 6A, when pocket 420 is formed in the inner surfaceof card housing 412, magnetic stripe 410 may be disposed within pocket420 through another process. For example, magnetic stripe 410 may beaffixed to the inner surface of card inlay 411 (which does not have apocket) though an adhesive layer (not shown) before card inlay 411 andcard housing 412 are assembled together to form card frame 405. Magneticstripe 410 may be adhered to the inner surface of card inlay 411 at alocation that corresponds to the location of pocket 420 in the innersurface of card housing 412, such that magnetic stripe 410 is alignedwith pocket 420 when card inlay 411 and card housing 412 are attached toeach other.

FIG. 6A schematically shows that magnetic stripe 410 is affixed to aninner surface of card inlay 411, and when card inlay 411 is assembledwith card housing 412, magnetic stripe 410 is disposed within pocket420. Although magnetic stripe 410 is shown to occupy less than theentire space of pocket 420, it is understood that magnetic stripe 410may occupy the entire space of pocket 420. In some embodiments, anadhesive layer may not be used. Magnetic stripe 410 may be placed withinpocket 420 and be securely held by card inlay 411 and card housing 412when they are attached to each other to form card frame 405. It isunderstood that when an adhesive layer is not used, magnetic stripe 410may occupy the entire space of pocket 420, at least in the thicknessdirection of card frame 405, such that magnetic stripe 410 isconstrained in at least the thickness direction.

Likewise, when pocket 420 is formed in the inner surface of card inlay411, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 6B, either by the injection moldingprocess or by the machining process, magnetic stripe 410 may be disposedwithin pocket 420 via suitable processes similar to those discussedabove. For example, in one process, after pocket 420 is formed in cardinlay 411, an adhesive layer (not shown) may be placed in pocket 420.Magnetic stripe 410 may be placed onto the adhesive layer and secured toan inner surface of card inlay 411 by the adhesive layer, as shown inFIG. 5A. Card inlay 411 and card housing 412 may then be assembledtogether to form card frame 405. FIG. 5A schematically shows thatmagnetic stripe 410 is positioned in pocket 420 provided in an innersurface of card inlay 411 when card frame 405 is formed. In someembodiments, an adhesive layer may not be used. Magnetic stripe 410 maybe placed within pocket 420 and be securely held by card inlay 411 andcard housing 412 when they are attached to each other to form card frame405. It is understood that when an adhesive layer is not used, magneticstripe 410 may occupy the entire space of pocket 420, at least in thethickness direction of card frame 405, such that magnetic stripe 410 isconstrained in at least the thickness direction.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B, magnetic stripe 410 may beadhered to the inner surface of card housing 412 (which does not have apocket) through an adhesive layer (not shown) before card inlay 411 andcard housing 412 are assembled together. Magnetic stripe 410 may beadhered to the inner surface of card housing 412 at a location thatcorresponds to the location of pocket 420 on the inner surface of cardinlay 411, such that magnetic stripe 410 is aligned with pocket 420 whencard inlay 411 and card housing 412 are assembled. FIG. 6B schematicallyshows that magnetic stripe 410 is adhered to an inner surface of cardhousing 412, and when card inlay 411 is assembled with card housing 412,magnetic stripe 410 is disposed within pocket 420. Although magneticstripe 410 is shown to occupy less than the entire space of pocket 420,it is understood that magnetic stripe 410 may occupy the entire space ofpocket 420. In some embodiments, an adhesive layer may not be used.Magnetic stripe 410 may be placed within pocket 420 and be securely heldby card inlay 411 and card housing 412 when they are attached to eachother to form card frame 405. It is understood that when an adhesivelayer is not used, magnetic stripe 410 may occupy the entire space ofpocket 420, at least in the thickness direction of card frame 405, suchthat magnetic stripe 410 is constrained in at least the thicknessdirection.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the exemplary transactioncard 400 shown in FIG. 4 taken along line A-A of FIG. 4, consistent withdifferent disclosed embodiments. As shown in FIG. 7, pocket 420 mayinclude two portions, a first portion formed in the inner surface ofcard inlay 411 and a second portion formed in the inner surface of cardhousing 412. For example, the inner surface of card inlay 411 may have arecessed portion defining the first portion of pocket 420, and the innersurface of card housing 412 may have a corresponding recessed portiondefining the second portion of pocket 420. Magnetic stripe 410 may bedisposed within pocket 420 formed in both card inlay 411 and cardhousing 412. Although FIG. 7 shows that magnetic stripe 410 occupiesless than the entire space of pocket 420, it is understood that in otherembodiments, magnetic stripe 410 may occupy the entire space of pocket420. As shown in FIG. 7, magnetic stripe 410 may be affixed to the innersurface of card inlay 411 through an adhesive layer (not shown), andwhen card inlay 411 and card housing 412 are assembled together,magnetic stripe 410 is disposed within both the first and secondportions of pocket 420. It is understood that in other embodiments,magnetic stripe 410 may be affixed to the inner surface of card housing412, and when card inlay 411 and card housing 412 are assembledtogether, magnetic stripe 410 is positioned within both the first andsecond portions of pocket 420. In some embodiments, an adhesive layermay not be used. Magnetic stripe 410 may be placed within the first orthe second portion of pocket 420 before card inlay 411 and card housing412 are assembled to form card frame 405. When card frame 405 is formed,magnetic stripe 410 may be securely held by card inlay 411 and cardhousing 412. It is understood that when an adhesive layer is not used,magnetic stripe 410 may occupy the entire space of pocket 420, at leastin the thickness direction of card frame 405, such that magnetic stripe410 is constrained in at least the thickness direction.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show cross-sectional views of exemplary transaction card400 shown in FIG. 4 taken along line A-A of FIG. 4, consistent withdifferent disclosed embodiments. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B,transaction card 400 may have a curved card frame. That is, surfaces ofcard frame 405 may be curved instead of being flat. As shown in FIGS. 8Aand 8B, magnetic stripe 410 may also have a curved shape. Forsimplicity, FIGS. 8A and 8B do not show pocket 420 separately. It isunderstood that magnetic stripe 410 may be disposed within pocket 420,as shown in other embodiments disclosed herein. Magnetic stripe 410 mayoccupy a portion of pocket 420, or the entire space of pocket 420.Curved magnetic stripe 410 may follow the same curvature as the curvedsurfaces (or one of the curved surfaces) of card frame 405. In someembodiments, curved magnetic stripe 410 may have a curve that isdifferent from the curve of card frame 405. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B,magnetic stripe 410 may be disposed on the inner surface of card inlay411 or card housing 412. As discussed above, magnetic stripe 410 may bedisposed within pocket 420, which may be provided on an inner surface ofcard inlay 411, card housing 412, or both. It is understood that theembodiments shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B can be combined with otherembodiments, such as those shown in FIGS. 2-7.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show top views of exemplary transaction card 400consistent with the disclosed embodiments. Magnetic stripe 410 isdisposed inside card frame 405 and may or may not be visible. Forexample, when the material for forming card inlay 411 and/or cardhousing 412 is not transparent or translucent, magnetic stripe 410disposed inside card frame 405 may not be visible from outside. When thematerial for forming card inlay 411 and/or card housing 412 istransparent or translucent, magnetic stripe 410 may be visible fromoutside. When a transparent or translucent material is used for forminga portion of card inlay 411 and/or card housing 412 at a locationcorresponding to the location of magnetic stripe 410, magnetic stripe410 may be visible from outside.

In the embodiments in which magnetic stripe 410 is not visible, a stripeindicator 430 may be provided on an exterior surface (e.g., front orback surface) of card frame 405 to indicate to a user the location ofmagnetic stripe 410 inside card frame 405. Stripe indicator 430 may beprovided on the exterior surface at the same location with respect tothe edges of card frame 405 as magnetic stripe 410. In other words,stripe indicator 430 may be located on the exterior surface at alocation above magnetic stripe 410 in the thickness dimension of cardframe 405. Stripe indicator 430 may include various indicators forindicating the location of magnetic stripe 410. For example, stripeindicator 430 may appear differently than other portions of the exteriorsurface of card frame 405 to indicate the location of magnetic stripe410. In one embodiment, stripe indicator 430 may have a color that isdifferent from the color of the other portions of the exterior surface.In another embodiment, stripe indicator 430 may have a printed patternthat is not present in the other portions of the exterior surface. Insome embodiments, stripe indicator 430 may include a material that feelsor looks differently than the material included in the other portions ofcard frame 405. In some embodiments, stripe indicator 430 may use icons,texts, or other suitable ornamental items to indicate the location ofmagnetic stripe 410.

Other aesthetic techniques known in the art may also be used in stripeindicator 430 to indicate the location of magnetic stripe 410 insidecard frame 405. For example, stripe indicator 430 may be printed with anink having a different finish than the other portions of the exteriorsurface of card frame 405. In one embodiment, stripe indicator 430 maybe printed with a matte finish while the other portions of the exteriorsurface may be printed with a glossy finish. Other aesthetic techniques,such as heat transfer (e.g., stripe indicator 430 having a differentthermo transfer capability than other portions of card frame 405), mayalso be used to indicate the location of the internal magnetic stripe410. It is understood that the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B canbe combined with other embodiments disclosed herein, such as thosedisclosed in FIGS. 2-8.

Different materials may be used to construct card frame 405 includingcard inlay 411 and card housing 412. Suitable materials include TPE(thermoplastic elastomer) resins and mixture of TPE and anothermaterial, such as TPE-PBT resins (thermoplastic elastomer mixed withpolybutylene terephthalate), TPE mixed with acetal homopolymers, etc.Acetal homopolymers may include commercially available acetalhomopolymers, such as Delrin® made by DuPont®. Other or differentcommercially available homopolymers may be used, if desired.

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) may include of copolymers and/ormixtures of polymers that exhibit properties of thermoplastics andelastomeric materials. For example, the resin used to form card frame405 may include a polyester elastomer, a block copolymer, athermoplastic olefin, an elastomeric alloy, a thermoplasticpolyurethane, a thermoplastic copolyester, or a thermoplastic polyamide.

In some embodiments, the resin mixture used to form card frame 405includes a polyester elastomer, such as a commercially availablepolyester elastomer. Commercially available polyester elastomerssuitable for use in forming card frame 405 with a soft touch feel mayinclude Hytrel® 8238 made by DuPont®. Other suitable polyesterelastomers that are commercially available may include Hytrel® 7246 madeby DuPont®. While some commercially available TPEs are mentionedspecifically herein, other TPEs may be used in various embodiments.

The resin mixture for forming card frame 405 may include materials forincreasing the strength and durability of card frame 405. For example,the resin mixture for forming card frame 405 may include polybutyleneterephthalate (PBT) or be mixed with materials that include PBT.Suitable PBTs or materials that include PBT may include commerciallyavailable PBTs, such as Crastin ® made by DuPont®. Other or differentcommercially available PBTs or materials that contain PBT may be used,if desired. As used herein, reference to PBT should be understood toinclude materials containing PBT.

The PBT used in the resin mixture for forming card frame 405 may have aflexural modulus in the range of 1600-8500 MPa. For example, the PBTused in the resin mixture for forming card frame 405 may have a flexuralmodulus in the range of 1600-8500 MPa, 2000-8000 MPa, 2500-7500 MPa,3000-7000 MPA, 3500-6500 MPa, 4000-6000 MPa, 4500-5500 MPa, or 4750-5250MPa. Depending on the selected PBT and/or other materials used in theresin for forming card frame 405, the selected PBT may have a differentflexural modulus, if desired.

The PBT used in the resin mixture for forming card frame 405 may alsohave a flexural strength in the range of 50-200 MPa. For example, thePBT used to for card frame 405 may have a flexural strength in the rangeof 50-200 MPa, 75-175 MPa, 100-150 MPa, or 120-130 MPa. Depending on theselected PBT and/or other materials used in the resin for forming cardframe 405, the selected PBT may have a different flexural strength, ifdesired.

The resin mixture for forming card frame 405 may include a mixture ofTPE and one or more of acetal homopolymer and PBT. The resin mixtureforming card frame 405 may include a mixture having a 50:50 ratio, a60:40 ratio, a 40:60 ratio, a 70:30 ratio, a 30:70 ratio, or anotherratio of TPE to one or more of acetal homopolymer and PBT. The resinmixture for forming card frame 405 may include other or additionalmaterials, if desired.

Consistent with the disclosed embodiments, high output magnetic stripescan be used as internal magnetic stripe 410 to reduce the failure rateand meet the ISO specification. For example, the failure rate of a highoutput internal magnetic stripe 410 consistent with the disclosedembodiments may not exceed 1.5%, 2%, or 3%. Magnetic stripes used intraditional cards may not meet the ISO specification on the card readingfailure rate because they are typically low output magnetic stripes.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method 1000 formanufacturing a transaction card, consistent with the disclosedembodiments. Method 1000 may be performed by one or more machines ordevices, such as an injection molding device, a CNC machining device,and other automated manufacturing devices, which may be controlled by atleast one processor. The processor may be specially programmed tooperate one or more manufacturing devices to perform the disclosedmethods for manufacturing transaction card 400.

As shown in FIG. 10, method 1000 may include forming a card inlay (step1005). For example, an injection molding device may form card inlay 411.Method 1000 may also include forming a card housing (step 1010). Forexample, the injection molding device may form card housing 412.

Method 1000 may include forming a pocket in at least one of the cardinlay or the card housing (step 1015). For example, the injectionmolding device may form pocket 420 in an inner surface of either cardinlay 411, card housing 412, or both (by forming a first portion ofpocket 420 in the inner surface of card inlay 411 and a second portionof pocket 420 in the inner surface of card housing 412). When pocket 420is formed in either card inlay 411 or card housing 412, pocket 420 maybe formed in the same injection molding process as card inlay 411 orcard housing 412. When pocket 420 is formed by a first portion in cardinlay 411 and a second portion in card housing 412, the first portionmay be formed together with card inlay 411 in the same injection moldingprocess. The second portion may be formed together with card housing 412in the same injection molding process. In some embodiments, after cardinlay 411 and/or card housing 412 are formed, a subsequent CNC machiningdevice may form pocket 420 in an inner surface of card inlay 411, cardhousing 412, or both. Pocket 420 may be formed in the inner surface ofcard inlay 411 and/or card housing 412 by removing (through the CNCmachining process) a portion of card inlay 411 and/or card housing 412from their inner surfaces.

Method 1000 may include positioning a magnetic stripe on at least one ofan inner surface of the card inlay or an inner surface of the cardhousing (step 1020). For example, magnetic stripe 410 may be affixed(e.g., via an adhesive layer) to an inner surface of card inlay 411 oran inner surface of card housing 412 at a location corresponding to thelocation of pocket 420. In some embodiment, an adhesive layer may not beused. Magnetic stripe 410 may be disposed within pocket 420 and securelyheld by card inlay 411 and card housing 412 when card inlay 411 and cardhousing 412 are attached to each other.

Method 1000 may also include attaching the card inlay to the cardhousing to form a card frame (step 1025). When the card frame is formed,the magnetic stripe is disposed inside the card frame between the cardinlay and the card housing.

In some embodiments, the method may further include forming anotherpocket in card inlay 411 and/or card housing 412 for embedding amicrochip. In some embodiments, the method may further include printingcard information on a surface of the card inlay and/or card housing. Thecard information may include, but is not limited to, card number,expiration date of the card, VISA/Mastercard logo, hologram, cardissuing company logo, customer/card holder's name, a photo of the cardholder, and a signature of the card holder.

While illustrative embodiments have been described herein, the scopeincludes any and all embodiments having equivalent elements,modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., of aspects across variousembodiments), adaptations or alterations based on the presentdisclosure. For example, the order of the steps of the above exemplarymethod may be rearranged in any preferred or suitable order, or any stepmay be removed or added.

The elements in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on thelanguage employed in the claims and not limited to examples described inthe present specification or during the prosecution of the application,which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. It is intended,therefore, that the specification and examples be considered as exampleonly, with a true scope and spirit being indicated by the followingclaims and their full scope of equivalents.

1. A transaction card, comprising: a card frame having a card inlay anda card housing; a magnetic stripe disposed inside the card frame betweenthe card inlay and the card housing; and a stripe indicator located onan exterior surface of the card frame.
 2. The transaction card of claim1, wherein the card inlay or the card housing defines a pocketcontaining the magnetic stripe.
 3. The transaction card of claim 2,wherein an inner surface of the card inlay defines the pocket.
 4. Thetransaction card of claim 2, wherein an inner surface of the cardhousing defines the pocket.
 5. The transaction card of claim 2, whereinan inner surface of the card inlay defines a first portion of thepocket, and an inner surface of the card housing defines a secondportion of the pocket.
 6. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein thecard frame has a first curved shape, and wherein the magnetic stripe hasa second curved shape.
 7. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein themagnetic stripe has a distance of 100-190 microns to an exterior surfaceof the card inlay or the card housing.
 8. The transaction card of claim1, wherein the magnetic stripe is a high output magnetic stripe. 9.(canceled)
 10. The transaction card claim 1, wherein the stripeindicator is located at the same location with respect to edges of thecard frame as the magnetic stripe.
 11. A method of manufacturing atransaction card, comprising: forming a card inlay; forming a cardhousing; forming a pocket in at least one of the card inlay and the cardhousing; positioning a magnetic stripe on at least one of an innersurface of the card inlay and an inner surface of the card housing at alocation corresponding to the pocket; attaching the card inlay to thecard housing to form a card frame, the magnetic stripe being disposedinside the card frame between the card inlay and the card housing andwithin the pocket; and forming a stripe indicator on an exterior surfaceof the card inlay or the card housing to indicate a location of themagnetic stripe inside the card frame.
 12. (canceled)
 13. The method ofclaim 11, wherein forming the stripe indicator comprises forming thestripe indicator at the same location with respect to edges of the cardframe as the magnetic stripe.
 14. The method of claim 11, whereinforming the card inlay and the card housing comprises forming the cardinlay and the card housing by an injection molding process.
 15. Themethod of claim 11, wherein forming the pocket comprises forming thepocket by an injection molding process.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein forming the pocket comprises forming the pocket by a ComputerNumerical Control (CNC) process performed after the injection moldingprocess.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein forming the pocketcomprises forming the pocket in the inner surface of the card housing.18. The method of claim 11, wherein forming the pocket comprises formingthe pocket in the inner surface of the card inlay.
 19. The method ofclaim 11, wherein forming the pocket comprises forming a first portionof the pocket in an inner surface of the card inlay and forming a secondportion of the pocket in an inner surface of the card housing.
 20. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the magnetic stripe has a distance of100-190 microns to an exterior surface of the card inlay or the cardhousing.
 21. A transaction card, comprising: a card frame having a cardinlay and a card housing; and a magnetic stripe disposed inside the cardframe between the card inlay and the card housing, wherein at least oneof the card inlay or the card housing defines a recessed pocketcontaining the magnetic stripe.